Richmond, VA – (Wednesday, January 13, 2010) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that little KICKS will serve as the foundation of the Kickers’ nationally renowned Club Model. Slated to serve over 2,000 youth ages 2 through 6 years old, Richmond Kickers little KICKS is an in-school soccer enrichment program held at preschools throughout the Richmond area.
Richmond Kickers little KICKS provides a fun and convenient way to introduce soccer to young children. The program, created by Luke Vercollone, Richmond Kickers professional soccer player, is designed to develop coordination, self confidence, motor skills and elementary soccer techniques.
“I am pleased to introduce soccer, the sport I am passionate about, to young children at preschools and in the process provide a quality and convenient program for their parents,” comments Luke Vercollone, little KICKS Founder and Richmond Kickers midfielder. “The program has received positive feedback from the schools, parents and most importantly, the kids.”
Richmond Kickers professional soccer players and coaches visit the preschools once a week for 30-45 minute sessions of soccer instruction, drills and games. Parents enroll their children in a positive, fun activity that does not require extra driving or take away from valuable evening and weekend time. The team atmosphere fosters life skills and socialization at a crucial developmental age. The many positive aspects of the sport diversity and enhance the child’s learning experience.
"little KICKS offers a wonderful soccer experience for preschool children,” comments Elizabeth Bale, owner of The Cedarhouse School. “Their exercises help build skills in creative and fun ways. The instructors are patient, kind and effective leaders of the group who obviously understand how to work with children. Here at Cedarhouse, we offer several extracurricular programs each spring and fall, and I can easily say that little KICKS is among the best programs I have seen.”
To bring little KICKS to your school, contact Luke Vercollone, Director at luke@littlekicks.net or 617-827-1775. Find out more and register now at RichmondKickers.com.
About Richmond Kickers Soccer Club
The Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was formed in May 2000 when Eastern FC and Richmond United youth clubs joined forces with the Richmond Kickers Pro Club. Since then, the club has merged with programs in Midlothian, Ashland and Pocoshock.
Today over 6,000 soccer players participate in programs sponsored by the Kickers and partner clubs, including Midlothian Youth Soccer League, Ashland Youth Soccer League, City of Richmond Parks and Rec., Goochland United Soccer Association and little KICKS. The Kickers travel program consists of 64 teams and over 900 players who compete in the US Soccer Academy Program, Super Y-League, VCCL and ADSL. The club was recently named as one of only 30 adidas Sports Marketing Clubs in the U.S. The club provides opportunities for all players of all abilities and unites soccer in the Central Virginia community. Benefits include economy of scale, consistency of coaching philosophy, professional administrative and coaching staff expertise, positive role models for youth players and a clear pathway from youth to pro for aspiring young players.
RKYSC created an entity and purchased the assets of the Richmond Kickers pro team, which was established in 1993 and has consistently been one of the most successful professional soccer clubs in America. Over the past 17 seasons, Richmond has qualified for postseason play 15 times, and reached the title match in 2009 for the fifth time in the past eight seasons. Richmond’s six previous league Championship appearances (1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007) include winning the Premier League title in 1995, a shoot-out loss to Seattle in the USL First Division final in 2005 and taking the USL Second Division crown against Charlotte in 2006. In addition to on-field success, the Kickers have taken United Soccer Leagues Organization of the Year honors on four occasions (1995, 2000, 2006, 2007).
